75 experts—physicians, podiatrists, physical therapists, and more—who can help you stay healthy.

Where to Find Good Help

We used a variety of ways to come up with this list of recommended physicians, podiatrists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists.

We started by asking physicians on our Top Doctors list if they specialize in sports medicine. We also sent surveys to all of the doctors on that list, asking them to recommend sports-medicine experts. Then we called top trainers, coaches, and athletes and asked whom they would turn to for treatment of a sports injury.

Although the following practitioners come highly recommended, their inclusion on this list is no guarantee that you’ll be happy with their care, nor should it be a substitute for your own research and judgment. The practitioners listed here are among the area’s “best,” but they’re not the only good ones.

Orthopedists

Orthopedists treat problems of the musculoskeletal system. The following orthopedists specialize in sports medicine.

PhysiatristsAlso known as physical-rehabilitation specialists, physiatrists treat problems related to bones, muscles, and nerves. They work to improve function and alleviate pain without surgery.

Michael E. April, Rockville; 301-770-6301.

Brian Y. Kim, Germantown; 301-916-2600.

Mark Klaiman, Bethesda; 301-493-8884.

Wan Shin, Falls Church; 703-776-6086.

David P. Sniezek, downtown DC, 202-296-3555; McLean, 703-506-8471.

Neil Spiegel, Rockville; 301-231-5050.

Osteopathic Physicians

Osteopathic physicians are doctors who study the same curriculum as MDs but also train in osteopathic manipulation, a form of hands-on care that’s used to diagnose and treat illness and injury.Stephen Blood, Alexandria; 703-998-6760.

Alan Morrison, Northwest DC; 202-966-0622.

PodiatristsPodiatrists treat the foot and lower leg. Those listed here were recommended in a survey of doctors and are fellows of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.Lee Firestone, downtown DC, 202-223-4616; Chevy Chase, 301-913-5225.

Physical TherapistsYou don’t need a referral to see a physical therapist in the District or Maryland. In Virginia, you can go to any physical therapist to be evaluated, but to be treated without a referral you can go only to a physical therapist who has a special certification. However, some physical therapists and health-insurance companies require a doctor’s referral.

Sports MassageSports massage, which usually involves a lot of deep-tissue work, aims to help athletes recover faster and to prevent injuries. You don’t need a referral, and most patients pay out of pocket.